The homecoming football game always seems to have a different vibe. There’s that certain electricity in the air. Everyone’s pumped, from students to administrators to returning alumni. But for OPRF senior running back Liam Smith and sophomore receiver Cameron Minish-Murray, it’s all business on the field. And that pair meant business Friday in the Huskies’ 24-21 victory over perennial West Suburban Silver power York.
Smith, who doubled as an effective linebacker, rushed 25 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Minish-Murray leaped over a defender for a 10-yard touchdown catch midway through the third quarter and had a huge 34-yard pass gain early in the fourth quarter that set up Smith’s second score, a 3-yard run.
“It sure feels good,” Smith understated post-game as his teammates and coaches milled around, enjoying the moment.
Winning big against a tough opponent to improve to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference was even bigger than homecoming.
“We had some people out for concussions and stuff, (and) the vibe was high, the energy, but it shouldn’t be any different from any other game,” said Minish-Murray, who caught two passes for 44 yards and the touchdown.
Added Smith: “We just feel like this is our turf, we’ve got to protect it, we’re not going to let these dudes take what’s ours.”
The stars were out Friday for the Huskies. The defense picked off York senior quarterback Zack Assaad three times – once apiece in the second, third and fourth quarters. The last one was particularly big, as senior defensive back Robert Kolovitz intercepted Assaad deep in York’s territory with 8:16 to go in the game and OPRF up 21-14.
The Huskies marched to the Dukes’ 8-yard line before the drive stalled. That brought out junior kicker Maxwell Smith, who coolly drilled a 25-yard field goal with 6:13 to go.
Good thing, too. York put together an 80-yard, 12-play drive on its ensuing possession, resulting in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Assaad to senior receiver Christopher Winton which set the final score with under two minutes to go. OPRF ran out the clock with four running plays.
And then? Homecoming pandemonium. This might have been just another game in Smith and Minish-Murray’s estimation, but it was an important one in the conference race, and a big step toward a playoff berth considering the IHSA has expanded the field for this season.
Maxwell Smith said he wasn’t really nervous on his big kick, which may be a bit of a surprise considering the pressure situation.
“I felt like I wanted to do it for them,” Smith said, gesturing toward the student section, “for the students. Everything I do football related, I want to do for them. I want our students to go to school Monday (saying) ‘We just beat York.’”
As for Kolovitz, the pick was the best feeling in the world, and as far as he was concerned, the win was indeed pivotal.
“This is a complete momentum-changer for the season,” he said. “There were some doubts about us, but we’re back.”
That’s what coach John Hoerster thought as well, as he relished the fact that his team put together a full four quarters. Of course, the interceptions helped but so did 10 York penalties for a loss of 80 yards. If stuff like this continues to happen, OPRF could be the most dangerous team in the West Suburban Silver, and beyond.
“We talked about it in the locker room beforehand,” Hoerster said. “We’ve been playing better, but we haven’t put together four quarters. And the kids believed and they finished.
“Unsung heroes … our kicker making a big-time field goal,” he said. “We’ve never put him in that position before. It was huge. We made plays on special teams. Offense, defense stepped up. When plays needed to be made, guys stepped up, and I’m proud of them.”
Also crucial to the win was senior receiver Andrew Heinzmann, who caught four passes for 62 yards. Senior quarterback Liam Brown steadily piloted the offense, going 7-for-16, passing for 107 yards and with plenty of handoffs to Liam Smith.
The schedule isn’t going to get easier. The Huskies travel to Downers Grove North, Lyons and Addison Trail before finishing the regular season at home Oct. 16 versus Hinsdale Central.
But that’s the future. Homecoming was pretty sweet. Even if it was pressure-packed.
“We’re going to stick to the message about every day, just getting a little better,” Hoerster said. “I told them I didn’t want to talk about the homecoming dance until they earned it, and they earned it tonight.”